Spherical joint and process for manufacturing the same

摘要

The present invention relates to a spherical joint for transmitting rotating and rocking motions between an inner member (1; 21) and an outer member (2; 24) in sliding contact with each other, and provides a spherical joint which is excellent in the mechanical strength and capable of achieving smooth rocking or rotating motions, and a process for manufacturing the spherical joint. In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention, there is provided a spherical joint comprising: an inner member (1; 21) having a convex-spherical surface (5); an outer member (2; 24) cast by using the inner member (1; 21) as a core and so connected to the inner member (1; 21) as to rock and rotate relative to the inner member (1; 21); and a bushing (3; 27) sandwiched between the inner member (1; 21) and the outer member (2;24) and having a concave-spherical surface (8) for sliding contact with the convex-spherical surface (5) of the inner member (1; 21). When the outer member (2; 24) is to be cast, the bushing (3; 27) made of a thin metal is partially fused to and rigidly unified with the cast outer member (2; 24).